About The Song
“Freedom Isn’t Free” is a song written by John Anderson and James C. Hicks (also credited as James Cary Hicks or James C. Hicks Sr.). It was recorded by American country music artist John Anderson and released on May 26, 2015, as the opening track on his album Goldmine. The album was issued on Anderson’s own Bayou Boys Music label. The track runs approximately 3 minutes and 26 seconds.
The song was not issued as a commercial single and did not appear on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Goldmine peaked at number 36 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album marked Anderson’s first new studio project in several years and was produced by John Anderson and Joe Spivey.
Session credits associated with the album include contributions from musicians such as Chad Cromwell and Mark Beckett on drums; Glenn Worf and Kevin Grant on bass; James Mitchell and Jerry “Troy” Corenflos on guitar; Glenn Rieuf on steel guitar; J. Spivey on fiddle; Gary “Bud” Smith on piano; and Wes Hightower on harmony vocals. Anderson performed guitar on the recording.
John Anderson and James C. Hicks are the sole songwriters credited. The track appears as the first song on the original sequence of Goldmine. Other tracks on the album include “Magic Mama” (written by Merle Haggard), “Back Home,” the title track “Goldmine,” “Happily Ever After,” and “Louisiana Son of a Beast.” The album was released on CD and digital formats under Bayou Boys Music catalog number BBMG316.
Goldmine followed Bigger Hands (2009) in Anderson’s catalog and preceded Years (2020). Official audio is available through the John Anderson YouTube channel. The recording has also appeared on later compilations, including 40 Years & Still Swingin’ (2019).
Primary sources document consistent songwriting credits to John Anderson and James C. Hicks, production by John Anderson and Joe Spivey, the May 26, 2015 album release date, the absence of independent single chart performance, and the album’s number 36 placement on the Top Country Albums chart. These details place the recording within Anderson’s independent Bayou Boys Music period.
Video
Lyric
I’m proud livin’ in the U.S.A.
Land of the free and home of the brave
It might not be perfect but I’ll take it any day
But how long will the eagle fly
And how many mothers have to cry
‘Cause so many sons and daughters died
It’s always been that way‘Cause freedom isn’t free, it never was and never will be
What I’m tryin’ to say there’s always been a price to pay
Freedom isn’t free it’s been passed down to you and me
But how long will it be ’cause freedom isn’t free
I said freedom isn’t freeThere’s some things goin’ on across this land
Some people like me don’t understand
Still we’re hopin’ and prayin’
That we’re gonna get things right
Where I come from there’s an unwritten law
You don’t back a man up against a wall
Everybody answer to the call
When it’s time to fight‘Cause freedom isn’t free, it never was and never will be
What I’m tryin’ to say there’s always been a price to pay
Freedom isn’t free, no, it’s been passed down to you and me
But how long will it be ’cause freedom isn’t free
I said freedom isn’t freeBut freedom isn’t free, it never was and never will be
What I’m tryin’ to say there’s always been a price to pay
Freedom isn’t free, no, it’s been passed down to you and me
But how long will it be ’cause freedom isn’t free
I said freedom isn’t free
You know freedom isn’t free, no, no, no